Robert McVittie ( 1935-2002 ) F.C.A. C.S.M.A.
Title ” Gill Netters at Sooke ”
Size 12″ x 16″ ( 17 3/8″ x 21 3/8″ framed ) ………$1195.00 Canadian
Marine artist Robert McVittie documented view of commercial fishing, once a common way of life in Sooke. Harrison Gallery provenance.
The Sooke Region lies on the south end of Vancouver Island, once home to a thriving salmon fishtrap industry that developed in the early 1900s. However, around 1950, independent commercial fishing boats such as seiners, trollers, and gillnetters dominated the fisheries with their efficiency. By the 1980s, severe restrictions needed to be placed on commercial fishing. Today, Sooke is a scenic tourist destination with a thriving sports fishing industry.
A designated war artist, president of the C.S.M.A. (Canadian Society of Marine Artists) and a member of the F.C.A. (Federation of Canadian Artist) are just some of Robert McVitties accomplishments.
Born in England, Robert McVittie always had an interest in the sea and art. He served on H.M.S. Worcester, was active in the Merchant Navy and worked on freighters. During this time he would make drawings and sketches of life on the sea. McVittie and his family immigrated to Canada in 1957 where he worked as a miner in Elliott Lake, Ontario. It was here he first started working on marine paintings. The McVittie family moved to Vancouver in 1964 where Robert started work as a graphics artist. Shortly thereafter he began painting full time and in 1965 started exhibiting at the “Dutch Art Galleries Ltd“ owned by Alexander Harrison. Maintaining his relationship with Harrison, the artist exhibited at the newly opened Alexander Harrison Galleries in Vancouver. McVittie’s solo showings were extremely popular and profitable, at a 1970 showing, 40 of his paintings brought in $50,000.00. He was commissioned to paint the marine history of the Northwest Territories for it’s 1970 Centennial, 12 painting in all. His paintings are held in the Maritime Museum of British Columbia, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s collection, numerous corporate collections and other collections throughout the world.
Copyright of the artist and or the artist estate.